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Games

A Parent’s Guide: The Best Xbox Game Pass Titles to Play With Your Kids this Summer

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

School’s out for summer! That’s a refrain that your kids likely will be singing for a couple of days, right before they launch into “We’re bored!” or “It’s too hot to go outside!” Trust us, we get it: you’ve got them signed up for summer camps and fun activities galore, but there comes a time when you just need to let them enjoy some quality gaming time at home. Well, we here at Xbox have got you covered thanks to Xbox Game Pass. You may already know that Xbox Game Pass features over 100 great games for the, low price of $9.99 a month, but did you know that over 75 of those games are rated E or E10+? As a public service to you, we’ve put together a handy-dandy list of... Read more

Games

Welcome to Etherborn, a Game Where the Entire World is at Your Feet

by Samuel Cohen, Creative Director at Altered Matter Posted on June 24, 2019June 24, 2019

Hello, Xbox Wire fans! My name is Samuel, and I’m one of the members of Altered Matter – a small studio that’s located in sunny Barcelona, Spain. I want to tell you a little bit about our game Etherborn, a project that we’ve worked on for the last four years of our lives. Etherborn is an exploration-platformer in which you explore a gravity-shifting world. Here, gravity works in a totally different way to what we are used to. It’s not static – it moves with you, changing the environment around you. Imagine yourself standing next to a wall. You take a few steps forward and suddenly that wall becomes the floor, and the whole world around you has changed position entirely.... Read more

Games

Bandicoots, Start Your Engines! Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Available Now on Xbox One

by David Hodgson, Editorial Manager, Activision Posted on June 24, 2019June 24, 2019

It’s a survival of the fastest! Fully remastered to take advantage of the latest game graphics and physics, but still exhibiting the gameplay fans of Crash have loved for over 20 years, Crash Bandicoot is back and burning rubber starting now on Xbox One! Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled beautifies and retools all the original game modes from the classic Crash Team Racing game (including 18 tracks, a robust Adventure mode, chaotic Arcade mode, gameplay-honing Time Trial mode, and the crazy antics of Battle mode). But that’s not all! The game also comes with adapted and remastered Crash Nitro Kart content too, including an additional 13 tracks, all the Battle Arenas, and all the modes from... Read more

E3

Everything We Announced at the Xbox E3 2019 Briefing

by Will Tuttle, Xbox Wire Editor in Chief Posted on June 9, 2019June 9, 2019

Today, Xbox showcased a blockbuster lineup of 60 anticipated games for both console and PC in its Xbox E3 Briefing and shared a glimpse of the future with Project Scarlett, which launches alongside Halo Infinite in 2020. Headlined by the biggest game of 2019, Gears 5, along with over 30 games premiering with Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox E3 Briefing delivered 11 world premieres and a record 14 games from Xbox Game Studios, which will soon include legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions. “It’s great to celebrate with our incredible fans and show how we are delivering against our vision to empower gamers to play the games they want, with the friends they want, wherever... Read more

Games

The Path of Ovivo, from Game Jam Prototype to Console Release

by Alexander Vilassak, Game Designer, Ovivo Posted on June 21, 2019June 21, 2019

Our history began in November 2014 in Saint-Petersburg when three young people who never worked on a video game before and never even met each other has decided to participate in their first game jam. That’s how the initial Ovivo team was formed. Over the course of just one night we made our first prototype: a black and white game which we called... Black and White Game. It was a great experience for us and we had a lot of fun working on it. But we were pleased even more when our friends tried our game and really liked it! We won that game jam and came up with the current name for the game — Ovivo. It sounds nice and is also a palindrome. This victory gave us the confidence to... Read more

This Week on Xbox: June 21, 2019

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 21, 2019June 21, 2019

We know you’re busy and might miss out on all the exciting things we’re talking about on Xbox Wire every week. If you’ve got a few minutes, we can help remedy that. We’ve pared down the past week’s news into one easy-to-digest article for all things Xbox! Or, if you’d rather watch than read, you can feast your eyes on our weekly video show above. Be sure to come back every Friday to find out what’s happening This Week on Xbox! Creating a Sanctuary in Jurassic World Evolution After the amazing reaction to the first Jurassic World Evolution story expansion - Secrets of Dr Wu – we knew we wanted to do more and give players new ways to experience the game. We knew we wanted... Read more: This Week on Xbox: June 21, 2019

Games

E3 2019: Scavengers is a Tornado of Compelling Competitive Survival

by Russ Fischer, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 21, 2019June 21, 2019

Scavengers is a 4-player team-based survival shooter that is billed by developer Midwinter Entertainment as “co-opetition.” That’s a made-up term that actually captures the spirit of the game, even if it doesn’t begin to hint at what makes it unique. Scavengers imagines an Earth that has been plunged into frigid cold thanks to the destruction of the Moon. Much of humanity has taken refuge on a space station, run by a less-than-reliable AI, orbiting our old planet. You’re one of a four-person crew sent down to the surface, with orders to collect materials that might help build a future for humanity. Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, there are feral settlers on the planet, and... Read more

Games

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for June 25 to 28

by Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor Posted on June 21, 2019June 21, 2019

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox, where we cover all the new games coming soon to Xbox One! Every week the team at Xbox aims to deliver quality gaming content for you to enjoy on your favorite gaming console. To find out what’s coming soon to Xbox One, read on below and click on each of the game profiles for pre-order details (dates are subject to... Read more

Games

A New Master for Minion Masters with an Inside Look at Morellia

by Peter Rasmussen, Game Designer, BetaDwarf Posted on June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

It was a wild couple of months of preparations to release Minion Masters and bring it to Xbox One. That means we can sit back and relax, right? Nope, that’s not the BetaDwarf way. We have too much stuff we want to show you. We wanted to add something very special to the game after it’s full release, and what is more special than a brand new Master? Nothing, that’s what. The twisted sister of the Crystal Elf Milloween, Morellia goes by many names - Ruler of the Cursed Lands, Queen of Souls, Dragon Binder - but her personal favourite is Lich Queen. For Morellia, we had two main goals: To create a master that felt completely different from any existing Master, and one that was... Read more

Games

EA Sports NHL 20 Launches September 13 with Auston Matthews as Global Cover Star

by Simon Shyng, NHL Content Manager, EA Sports Posted on June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

Auston Matthews' journey to the cover of NHL 20 has been anything but conventional. The Arizona native forged his own unique path to NHL superstardom and became the first Toronto Maple Leafs player to grace the cover of EA Sports NHL. Auston Matthews consistently ignites the ice as one of the league’s top goal scorers. His lightning-quick toe-drag signature shot has put away teams across the NHL, making him a force to be reckoned with inside the rink. The American standout has made a name for himself in Canada and beyond, setting team records with the Toronto Maple Leafs and quickly solidifying himself as one of the purest goal scorers in the NHL. At just 21-years-old, Matthews knows... Read more

Games

Journey Through Generations of Sonic the Hedgehog Games with the Anniversary Sale

by Nathan Shabazi, Brand Manager, Sega Posted on June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

June 23, 2019 marks Sonic the Hedgehog’s 28th birthday and now’s the best time to journey through one of the most iconic gaming franchises from the start with the original Sonic the Hedgehog and end with Team Sonic Racing, the latest Sonic game. To celebrate, we're launching the Sonic Anniversary Sale on the Microsoft Store that lasts until June 24. Experience the full range of Sonic on Xbox One, brought to you in 2D and 3D platforming, racing and fighting. With simple and addicting 2D gameplay, this is your chance to relive Sonic in his most classic form. Or blaze through jaw dropping, colorful worlds and adventures as modern Sonic in 3D gameplay. There’s something for everyone... Read more

Tune-In Tomorrow to ELEAGUE Gears Summer Series: The Bonds and Betrayals of Brotherhood Episode 2

by Rose Gunson, Esports Creative Program Manager, The Coalition Posted on June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

Stemming from Xbox’s partnership with ELEAGUE, the first episode of the six-part docu series focused on the stories and players behind the world of Gears Esports aired on TBS last week. This premiere episode introduced a diverse set of Gears of War pro players – Yadiel “Sleepytime” Hildago, Gilbert “Xplosive” Rojo, Victor “Powerz” Mateo, Justin “Kenny” Kenny, Kyle “Kyle” Mason, and Danny “Identivez” Santillana. Each player, connected to each other through past teams, roster changes, and relationships, brings a different angle to the series. Episode 1 focused on Yadiel’s. Through his lens, the Gears Esports scene player and game dynamics were established,... Read more

Games

Vigor Update 0.9: Aid is Coming in July to Xbox One

by Petr Kolář, Project Lead, Vigor Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

Waiting... waiting never changes. After a burst of new information about the upcoming Summer Release, there's been next to no news from our side. Indeed, we prepared a handful of minor updates – including the addition of Random Duos – yet there was nothing major on the horizon. Right now, we are working hard to create the best possible experience for when the game fully releases as a free-to-play title in Summer 2019. Indeed, we know you would like to take a closer look and give it a try as soon as possible – and that's one of the reasons we prepared one last major update before the actual release. So, without further ado, let's see what's in Update 0.9: Aid that is coming in... Read more

Games

E3 2019: Lie, Sneak, and Blast Your Way to Success in The Outer Worlds

by Russ Fischer, Xbox Wire Contributor Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

Thanks to a development history that includes titles like Pillars of Eternity and Neverwinter Nights 2, a new game from Obsidian Entertainment is automatically an event. Specifically, when it looks like it might be a continuation of the designs seen in Obsidian's Fallout New Vegas, which set a high standard for the Fallout series back in 2010. The Outer Worlds, a first-person RPG with a rich vein of dark comedy, developed by Obsidian and published by Private Division looks like the spirit of New Vegas reincarnated into a new body. That’s not meant to make the game sound derivative; rather it looks like exactly the sort of title I’d hope to see from Obsidian. At E3 2019, The Outer... Read more

Games

A Look at Ghost Face, Dead by Daylight’s Latest Addition is Available Now on Xbox One

by Paul Gordon, Publishing Brand Manager, Behaviour Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019

Lurking in the shroud of night, Dead by Daylight’s Ghost Face is a natural stalker who likes to study his victims before striking. For this new killer, we decided to have a bit of fun. This time, it’s you that will be playing hide and seek with the survivors. The power of Ghost Face is tied to his habit of observing and studying his prey before attacking. For that, you will need to be sneaky. You’ll be able to crouch and hide your terror radius, you will even be able to peek from behind cover. Then, once you find your target, stalking them for a few seconds will mark them and expose them. That’s when you strike! Ghost Face is also unique for being the first license around... Read more

Games

Coming Soon to Xbox Game Pass: Resident Evil Revelations, Goat Simulator, and More

by Megan Spurr, Community Lead, Xbox Game Pass Posted on June 19, 2019June 20, 2019

Hey, Xbox Game Pass friends! E3 has come to a close and we’re still buzzing here like a kid with a king-sized candy bar. We’ve launched Xbox Game Pass for PC (Beta), brought over 100 new games to the Xbox Game Pass library across console and PC, and got called breathtaking by Keanu Reeves. We’re still reeling from that one. There is so much more that went down so here’s the TLDR: At E3, we announced that Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will also include Xbox Game Pass for PC... with no increase in price. So you can get your first month of Ultimate for $1 right now and play over 100 high quality PC games with our new Xbox (Beta) app for Windows 10. Get started here, where you can... Read more

Neverwinter: Undermountain Brings Iconic Dungeons & Dragons Campaign to Life

by Thomas Foss, Lead Game Designer, Neverwinter Posted on June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

As we were designing an expansion for Neverwinter, we needed a huge space for players to progress to level 80 with a new cap increase. Where better to do so than in the biggest dungeon in the Forgotten Realms? With that idea in mind, Wizards of the Coast’s “Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage” book was our tome of choice for research and reference. By offering 23 different levels in the famed dungeon of Undermountain, this D&D Fifth Edition campaign book gave our team so many choices for location and story content, centered around the Mad Mage – Halster Blackcloak – and his vast creation. It was actually very difficult to select only a few of the levels and monsters covered... Read more

Citizens of Space Brings the Future of RPG Gameplay to Xbox One

by Ryan Vandendyck, Game Director, Eden Posted on June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

The Earth is missing and it’s up to you, the Ambassador of Earth, to recruit Citizens from around the galaxy to aid you in your fight to get it back! For the development of Citizens of Space, we wanted to capture the same tone and humor of the previous game in the series, Citizens of Earth, while launching the gameplay of the series into the future to reflect the sci-fi setting of the new game. That’s why it includes a brand-new battle system and a ton of exciting new ways to interact with the huge, colorful, and humorous world. Speaking of battles, even the most charismatic of Ambassadors can’t convince everyone solely with flowering words and diplomatic overtures. When all else... Read more

Games

Play, Watch, and Earn Epic Rewards in the New Overwatch Event, Baptiste’s Reunion Challenge

by Lynette Greathouse, Associate Brand Manager, Overwatch Posted on June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

Group up and dive in to earn epic cosmetic rewards inspired by the newest Overwatch hero. Baptiste’s Reunion Challenge gives you the chance to unlock rewards by racking up wins in Overwatch or tuning in to some of your favorite streamers. During this limited time event, you can earn a player icon, two sprays, and the epic Combat Medic Baptiste skin—in addition to regular weekly rewards! But hurry! The Baptiste’s Reunion Challenge ends on July 1. What You Left Behind When you’re taking a break from playing Overwatch or checking out streams, be sure to spend a little time delving into Baptiste’s war-torn past by reading “What You Left Behind,” a new short story by... Read more

Games

Pack Your Bags and Get Ready for the ID@Xbox Explore and Discover Sale

by Tao Sila, ID@Xbox Global Product Marketing Manager Posted on June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

Now that school is coming to an end and the dust has settled from E3 it’s the perfect time to go on an adventure! The ID@Xbox team are here to help scratch that exploration itch. We went on a quest through our content to find some of the best adventure games to properly set you off on your journey. From now through June 24 you can save up to 75% on 50 beautiful exploration games in the Explore and Discover sale. Get your digital bag ready because you’re going to want to pack a bunch of these great games! Here’s a sample of what we have on sale. My Time at Portia (20% off) It’s pronounced Port-e-a like the character from “The Merchant of Venice” not the car. Which makes sense... Read more

Creating a Sanctuary in Jurassic World Evolution

by Rich Newbold, Executive Producer, Jurassic World Evolution Posted on June 18, 2019June 18, 2019

After the amazing reaction to the first Jurassic World Evolution story expansion - Secrets of Dr Wu – we knew we wanted to do more and give players new ways to experience the game. We knew we wanted to tell more stories, and we knew we wanted to try something new with Jurassic World Evolution’s gameplay. That’s how we decided to bring to life Claire Dearing’s vision of a new home for dinosaurs, and give you a whole new story-driven campaign to explore. In our second major expansion, Jurassic World Evolution: Claire’s Sanctuary, we wanted to shift the focus of the gameplay away from running a commercial park to creating an environment where dinosaurs can truly thrive. Launching... Read more